Engamer » Nintendo

Getting Smarter: Nintendo Brain Age creator turns down $11 million

mike — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:38:22 +0000

The brains behind Brain Age, Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, may be smart but he’s turned down about $11 million in royalties form Nintendo. The money is his share of the $22 million in royalties Nintendo owes Tohoku University for the technology in the 17 million copies of Brain Age (Brain Training outside of North America).

After years of gaming, but not ever having picked up Brain Age, I’m convinced that it’s just a game. Basically, no matter what’s happening on-screen you get better with practice. Maybe the activities in this game apply to real life better, maybe not, but playing any game is going to do your brain more good than scrolling through the TiVo. No amount of support from Nicole Kidman, Patrick Stewart, or any other celebrity is going to convince me that Brain Age is any better for me than a steady diet of Gears of War and Guitar Hero.

Extra credit or something to Dr. Kawashima for not taking the money, but he sounds like a fossil. Despite his success developing games for Nintendo he only allows his sons to play video games for an hour a day on weekends and not at all during the week and he’s completely stopped playing video games too. Apparently his “hobby” is research. Do you really want to spend an hour having that kind of fun?

[via PhysOrg]

Gameplay Trailer: Why it’s Good to be a Super Smash Bros. Brawl Developer

mike — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:16:52 +0000

Developers at Nintendo and Sora get busy beating the pixels out of each other in the bestest, most unreleased game ever – Super Smash Bros. Brawl:

Looks ready for release to me. If it’s really not ready then maybe those developers could be nice to all of us and get back to fixing the problems instead of making preview videos.

SNES Emulator for the iPhone and iPod Touch!

mike — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:43:59 +0000

… soon. Sorry to spoil the party. It’s still in beta-testing but we’re so happy to see it that we want an iPhone in our pockets right now.

For a small “donation” the developers will cut you into the beta testing. Maybe enough cash will motivate them to quit their day jobs and work faster than their planned “week or less” until release. In the meantime check the developers’ site for updates and other releases.

[via Engadget]

Bionic Commando Rearmed Brings the Gameplay, some 3D, more Gameplay Sweetness

mike — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:37:02 +0000

Bionic Commando is a classic 2D-scrolling shooter (and puncher, thrower, bionic armer…) from the 8-bit arcade and Nintendo consoles. Just announced by Capcom is the 3D Bionic Commando Reloaded on Xbox Live Arcade and the Playstation Network. Still a side-scroller, the gameplay looks sweet and the 3D maps and characters are killer.

Check the video preview after the jump:

(If video is broken, sorry. It’s IGN’s video code – see it on their site)

[via IGN]

Retro Console Hack: Mario & Halo Crossover

mike — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:35:07 +0000

It’s always a good day to see a playable Super Mario Bros. hack, but not many days are as good as this one. James may think Halo 3 overrated but putting Halo characters in Super Mario Bros. 2/3 is ingenious. Gameplay looks smooth and the level isn’t too easy, like most hacks are. The hack in the video adds a Halo edge with three energy weapons and un-stompable Covanent.

After you finish the 12-minute trailer grab the nearly complete demo from one of two sites. There’s also a joystick emulator for keyboards and a whole lot more info on the Youtube page and, remember that turnips are almost as powerful as grenades.

[via Kotaku]